In this June 19, 2013 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, at the Chancellery in Berlin.

Michael Grosse-Brömer, a leader in parliament of Mrs. Merkel’s conservatives, said he welcomed the plans outlined by Ms. Feinstein, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, to investigate the activities of the National Security Agency and other U.S. spy agencies. Mr. Grosse-Brömer said the German parliament’s supervisory committee, of which he is deputy chairman, should contact Ms. Feinstein to begin a “dialogue” with the Senate Intelligence Committee.

“It makes sense to have a faithful political exchange in order to clear up the current allegations and to restore trust in our U.S. friends and partners,” Mr. Grosse-Brömer said. “I very much welcome that the influential and authoritative U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee will now fully investigate the course of events related to the NSA.”

The top lawmaker’s praise came a day after a spokesman for Ms. Merkel sought to avoid the sometimes harsh anti-U.S. rhetoric in Germany in recent days and said the two countries would work together to get to the bottom of the NSA’s activities here.

Top officials from Ms. Merkel’s office and Germany’s intelligence agencies were scheduled to hold meetings in Washington this week, while Ms. Merkel last week said Germany would seek bilateral talks with Washington this year to reach “a mutual understanding” on how the countries’ spy agencies operate.

Also in Congress, the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday will question the NSA director, Gen. Keith Alexander, and other top intelligence officials during an afternoon hearing.

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.